Corporate body

Manitoba Farm Bureau

1965-1984

The Manitoba Farm Bureau, the predecessor to the Keystone Agricultural Producers, was formed in January 1965, necessitated by years of turmoil between farmers and associations/organizations. This grief resulted from a steady decline in membership participation, a shortage of finances, lack of unity between groups, and constant internal quarrelling. In short, these various independent organizations were not meeting the voluntary and commercial needs of their members. On October 16, 1964 a committee was appointed to make a plan for a formal provincial farm organization. On November 16, the committee presented its report and suggested the name be Manitoba Farm Bureau. It proposed the following membership: all commodity groups, commercial co-operatives, Manitoba Women's Institute, Manitoba Federation of Agriculture, Diploma Agricultural Graduates' Association, agricultural societies, municipal associations, livestock breeders' associations, farm management groups, and the Manitoba Farmers' Union. The Plan was accepted with minor amendments, although the Manitoba Farmers' Union refused to join. The stated aims and objectives of the Manitoba Farm Bureau were as follows: to unify the purposes and policies of organized agriculture in Manitoba, to promote the interests of farmers and farmers' organizations and promote common interest through collective action, to formulate and promote provincial, national and international agricultural policies to meet changing economic conditions, to represent farmers before government and authorities, to study and protect interests of membership relating to existing and considered legislation (both provincial and federal), and to promote the social, economic and cultural well-being of rural Manitoba, and develop programs of mutual assistance and self-help. The Manitoba Farm Bureau continued to operate until 1984 when it was replaced by the Keystone Agricultural Producers.